Amaranths

October 18th, 2007

Image by cliff1066 via Flickr

Botanical Name: Amaranthus hypochondriacus (LINN.)/Amaranthus spp.
Family: N.O. Amaranthaceae
Synonyms: Love-Lies-Bleeding. Red Cockscomb. Velvet Flower.
Habitat: The Amaranths are met with most abundantly in the tropics, especially in tropical America, but are not plentiful in cold countries.

Many species are widely distributed as pernicious weeds. Their economic importance is slight, their properties chiefly proteid nutrient. Many abound in mucilage and sugar and many species are used as pot-herbs, resembling those of Chenopodiaceae. Many, also, are excellent fodder-plants, though not cultivated.
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Description:

This 1 to 5 feet tall annual has to be sown inside soil to grow. It is generally not picky about soil type, and tolerates heat and drought well.

Religious importance
Amaranth is associated with immortality and is used to decorate god and goddesses. It is also used to repair broken heart. Woven into a wreath, it is said to render the wearer invisible. Also used in pagan burial ceremonies.

Grain Amaranth

Constituents: Their constituents are indefinite; none are poisonous, none possess very distinct medicinal properties, though many have use in native practice as alteratives, and as antidotes to snake-bite, etc.

Isolation and characterization:-
Asialofetuin-linked amino activated silica was used for the affinity purification of lectins from Amaranthus hypochondriacus Linn (AHL) and A. tricolor Linn (ATL). Like a few other Amaranthus lectins, these lectins were also inhibited by N-acetyl-D-galactosamine, fetuin and asialofetuin; they agglutinated human and different animal erythrocytes. The purified lectins yielded a single band on PAGE pH 8.3, pH 4.5 and SDS-PAGE, pH 8. 3. These also gave a single peak in gel exclusion on Biogel P-200 [?], HPLC 300 SW and cation exchange columns. However, both lectins gave multiple peaks in anion exchange column and multiple bands in isoelectric focusing. AHL and ATL are dimeric proteins in which the subunits having M(r) 29,000 and 39,000, respectively, are not held together by disulphide linkages. The pure lectins are glycoproteins and do not require Ca2++, Mn2+ and Mg2+ for their agglutination activity.

Medical Action and Uses:Some species have slightly astringent properties, others are diaphoretics and diuretics, and a few are tonics and stimulants.

In ancient Greece, the Amaranth was sacred to Ephesian Artemis: it was supposed to have special healing properties and as a symbol of immortality was used to decorate images of the gods and tombs. The name, from the Greek signifying unwithering, was applied to certain plants which from their lasting for ever, typified immortality.

Some of the species are old favourites as garden flowers, viz., Amaranthus hypochondriacus, known as Prince’s Feather, an Indian annual - with deeply-veined, lance-shaped leaves, purple on the under side with deep crimson flowers, densely packed on erect spikes, and A. caudatus (Jacq.) (Love-lies-bleeding), a native of Africa and Java, a vigorous hardy annual with dark purplish flowers crowded in handsome drooping spikes. It is considered astringent and a decoction of the flowers has been administered in spitting of blood and various haemorrhages and has been said to be so energetic that it may be used in cases of menorrhagia. With several other species belonging to the closely allied genus Aeva, natives of India, it has also been used as an anthelmintic.

A. spinosa (Linn.), A. campestris (Willd.) and many others are used in India as diuretics. A. oleraceus (Linn.) is used in India in diarrhoea and menstrual disorders and the young leaves and shoots are also eaten as a vegetable, similarly to spinach. A. polygonoides, a common garden weed in India, is also used as a pot-herb and considered so wholesome that convalescents are ordered it in preference to all other kinds.

It is best to treat stomach flu, diarrhea, and gastroenteritis. This herb is also helpful in stopping menstruation and for contraception. It reduces tissue swelling caused due to sprains and tick bites when applied externally. It is advisable not to be used by pregnant or lactating women.

Disclaimer:
The information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplements, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.

Resources:
http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/a/amara030.html
http://www.ihop-net.org/UniPub/iHOP/pm/8120909.html?pmid=7698887